Outdoor Living Spaces in Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill, NC
From the first conversation to the final walkthrough, every decision is yours. Every detail is ours.
Why CQC Home
Every Backyard Tells A StoryThis One Should Include You
When we started in 2008, many outdoor spaces throughout the Triangle were little more than patios, decks, or empty backyard space. Today, homeowners are looking for something more. They want places to gather with family, host friends, enjoy quiet mornings, and spend more time outdoors throughout the year. We’ve built our reputation by helping homeowners create outdoor living spaces that feel like a natural extension of the home itself. Whether it’s a covered porch, outdoor kitchen, custom patio, or complete backyard transformation, we believe great outdoor spaces should invite people to slow down and enjoy where they live. Sixteen years later, our approach remains exactly the same. We take the time to understand your property, your lifestyle, and how you want to use the space before a single design decision is made. No shortcuts. No one-size-fits-all solutions. Just carefully planned outdoor environments designed around the people who will enjoy them for years to come.
In Business
16+ Years
Designing and building outdoor living spaces across the Triangle since 2008.
Where We Work
The Triangle
Backyards Transformed
250+
Creating patios, porches, outdoor kitchens, and backyard retreats throughout the Triangle.
Our Model
In-House
What Makes A Great Outdoor Space
The Best Backyards Aren't Just BeautifulThey're Actually Used
The most successful outdoor spaces aren’t designed around furniture. They’re designed around how people spend time together. A place to host family dinners. Watch children play in the yard. Enjoy a quiet morning with coffee. Or gather with friends long after the sun goes down. The goal isn’t simply to make the backyard look better. It’s to create a space that draws people outside and gives them a reason to stay.
.01
A Place To GatherWithout Leaving Home
The best outdoor spaces create opportunities to spend more time together. From casual weeknight dinners to holiday celebrations, the backyard becomes a natural extension of the home.
.02
Designed For Every SeasonNot Just The Perfect Days
Covered structures, shade solutions, heating elements, and thoughtful planning help homeowners enjoy their outdoor spaces throughout more of the year.
.03
Built Around Your PropertyNot A Template
Every lot is different. Great outdoor design responds to the home’s architecture, the property’s layout, and the way homeowners want to use the space.
.04
More Reasons To Be OutsideAnd Fewer Reasons To Go In
When an outdoor space includes the right features, people naturally spend more time there. The result is a property that feels larger, more enjoyable, and more connected to everyday life.
Outdoor Living Spaces Throughout The Triangle
Designed For The MomentsThat Bring People Together
Many homeowners invest heavily in the interior of their home while leaving a significant portion of their property underutilized. A small patio becomes crowded when guests visit. A deck begins showing its age. A backyard with tremendous potential becomes little more than something to maintain on the weekends. Outdoor living projects create an opportunity to rethink how the property is used and unlock value that has been sitting just outside the back door.
At CQC Home, we design outdoor environments that feel connected to the home, the architecture, and the property itself. From covered porches and custom patios to outdoor kitchens, fire features, and backyard retreats, every project is planned around the unique characteristics of the space. The goal is to create an outdoor environment that feels intentional, cohesive, and like it has always belonged there.
Outdoor Flow & Connection
The Backyard Should Feel Like Part Of The Home
Many homeowners have outdoor spaces they rarely use, not because the space lacks potential, but because it feels disconnected from the home itself. A patio sits beyond a set of doors that are rarely opened. A deck feels separate from the rooms where people naturally gather. The result is a backyard that becomes something to look at rather than something to enjoy. Thoughtful outdoor design helps strengthen that connection, creating a natural relationship between indoor and outdoor living. People move more freely between spaces. The backyard becomes part of everyday life. Sometimes the most meaningful transformation isn’t adding a new feature. It’s making the entire property feel like it was designed to work together from the beginning.
4-Seasons Rooms & Covered Living Areas
A Little Shade Changes Everything
Outdoor spaces tend to be used most when they feel comfortable, regardless of what the weather is doing. A covered porch or outdoor living area creates flexibility that open patios simply can’t provide. Morning coffee doesn’t depend on finding a patch of shade. Dinner plans don’t change because of a passing storm. Time outside becomes less dependent on perfect conditions and more integrated into everyday life. The result is an outdoor environment that feels inviting throughout more of the year and useful far more often. What was once occasional outdoor space becomes one of the most utilized areas of the property.
Outdoor Kitchens & Entertaining
Where Great Meals Meet Great Company
Entertaining outdoors has a different rhythm when everything you need is within reach. Conversations continue uninterrupted. Meals are prepared without constantly stepping away from guests. The experience feels less like managing an event and more like enjoying it. Outdoor kitchens create a central gathering point that naturally brings people together while making the space more practical for everyday use. Whether it’s a weekend cookout, a family celebration, or an ordinary evening outside, the backyard becomes a place designed for connection, comfort, and spending more time with the people who matter most.
Fire Features & Gathering Spaces
Built For Evenings That Turn Into Memories
Some spaces have a way of drawing people in and encouraging them to stay a little longer. Fire features create that kind of atmosphere, providing warmth, comfort, and a natural focal point within the backyard. What begins as a place to sit for a few minutes often becomes the setting for long conversations, shared stories, and evenings that stretch later than expected. More than a design feature, these gathering spaces help shape how the outdoor environment is experienced. They create destinations within the property that feel inviting throughout the year and naturally encourage people to slow down and enjoy the moment.
Outdoor Privacy & Comfort
Sometimes The Best Feature Is A Little Separation
The most enjoyable outdoor spaces create a sense of retreat without feeling isolated from the world around them. Privacy doesn’t always come from walls or fences. Often, it’s created through thoughtful design that considers sightlines, landscaping, elevation changes, and how the space is arranged. The result is an environment that feels calmer, more comfortable, and easier to enjoy throughout the day. Conversations feel more relaxed. Quiet moments feel more intentional. Rather than feeling exposed to neighboring properties or nearby activity, the backyard becomes a place where homeowners can truly unwind and enjoy their surroundings on their own terms.
Materials & Long-Term Performance
The Right Materials Make All The Difference
Every outdoor living space is exposed to conditions that interior rooms never have to face. Intense summer sun, heavy rain, changing temperatures, and daily use all leave their mark over time. The materials selected today will play a major role in how the space looks, feels, and performs years from now. Thoughtful material choices help preserve the character of the design while reducing the need for constant maintenance and repairs. The goal isn’t simply to create an outdoor space that looks beautiful when construction is complete. It’s to create one that continues to feel just as inviting, functional, and enjoyable through the seasons and years ahead.
Lighting & Evening Enjoyment
Outdoor Living Doesn't End At Sunset
An outdoor living space shouldn’t disappear when daylight fades. Thoughtful lighting extends both the functionality and atmosphere of the backyard, creating an environment that feels just as inviting in the evening as it does during the day. Pathways become easier to navigate, architectural features take on a new dimension, and gathering spaces feel warmer and more welcoming. The right lighting plan isn’t simply about visibility. It’s about creating an experience. One that encourages homeowners to stay outside longer, enjoy the space more often, and continue making memories long after the sun goes down.
Inside A Recent Outdoor Transformation
What Happens When A Backyard Becomes Part Of The Home
Before
After
From A Backyard They Overlooked To One They Use Every Day
Built in 1996 in one of Raleigh’s established neighborhoods, this backyard had all the ingredients of a beautiful property, but it wasn’t being used to its full potential. The patio was small, entertaining felt limited, and there was no real place to gather beyond a few chairs on concrete. The goal wasn’t simply to add more square footage outside. It was to create a space that felt like a natural extension of the home. Somewhere family dinners could move outdoors, conversations could linger long after sunset, and hosting friends no longer meant everyone squeezing into the kitchen.
Today, what was once an overlooked backyard has become one of the most enjoyed parts of the property. Mornings begin in the four-season room with views of the landscape, meals are shared around the outdoor kitchen, and evenings naturally settle around the fire. The space feels connected, welcoming, and built for the moments that make a house feel like home.
Our Outdoor Living Space Design-Build Process
The Best Outdoor SpacesDon't Happen By Accident
Outdoor living projects involve more than choosing materials or deciding where a patio should go. They require thoughtful planning around how the property is used, how people gather, and how the space should feel throughout the seasons. By managing design and construction under one roof, we’re able to create a more organized experience while helping homeowners avoid the confusion that often comes from coordinating multiple companies.
Step 01
Define The Vision
Every successful outdoor living project begins with understanding how you want to use the space. We take the time to learn how you spend time outdoors today, what’s missing from the property, and what you’d like the finished environment to feel like before discussing design solutions.
Step 02
Explore The Possibilities
Once goals are established, we begin evaluating the property and exploring solutions. Covered living areas, outdoor kitchens, fire features, privacy elements, and gathering spaces are considered with the goal of creating an outdoor environment that feels natural, connected, and uniquely yours.
Step 03
Design The Experience
This is where ideas begin taking shape. Materials, architectural details, lighting, and outdoor features are thoughtfully coordinated so everything works together as one cohesive environment before construction begins.
Step 04
Build The Environment
With planning complete, construction begins. Because design and construction are managed by one team, communication remains clear throughout the process, helping create a smoother experience from start to finish.
Step 05
Enjoy The Outdoors
The most rewarding part of an outdoor living project isn’t the final walkthrough. It’s the first evening spent outside, the first gathering with friends, and the first time the backyard feels like a place you genuinely want to spend time in every day.
Our Reviews
Beautiful Outdoor SpacesStart With Trust
The patios, porches, and outdoor gathering spaces are what people see first. What they don’t see are the conversations, planning, and collaboration that made them possible. We believe the experience should feel just as rewarding as the finished result, which is why our team places so much emphasis on communication, transparency, and building lasting relationships throughout the process. Long after construction is complete, those are often the things homeowners remember most.
Outdoor Living FAQs
Big Decisions Feel EasierWhen You Have The Right Answers
Planning an outdoor living project comes with plenty of questions. Below are answers to some of the topics we discuss most often with homeowners throughout Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, and the surrounding Triangle communities.
How Much Does An Outdoor Living Project Cost In The Triangle?
The investment for an outdoor living project depends on the scope of work, property conditions, material selections, and the features being incorporated. Some homeowners are adding a covered patio or fire feature, while others are creating a complete outdoor environment with kitchens, gathering spaces, and custom structures. During the planning process, we’ll help you understand the investment range for your specific goals so there are no surprises along the way.
How Long Does An Outdoor Living Project Take?
Project timelines vary based on the complexity of the design, permitting requirements, and the features being included. Simpler projects may take only a few weeks, while larger outdoor living environments often require additional planning and construction time. During the design phase, we’ll provide a realistic timeline so you know what to expect before work begins.
Do I Need Permits For An Outdoor Living Project?
Certain outdoor living projects require permits, while others do not. Covered structures, electrical work, plumbing, outdoor kitchens, and larger additions to the property often involve permitting requirements. As part of our design-build process, we’ll help determine what’s required and manage the permitting process on your behalf when necessary.
What Outdoor Living Features Add The Most Value?
The best investments are usually the ones homeowners use most often. Covered outdoor living areas, outdoor kitchens, fire features, integrated lighting, and thoughtfully designed gathering spaces tend to provide the greatest long-term value because they improve both enjoyment of the property and overall functionality.
Should I Build A Covered Porch Or An Open Patio?
The right choice depends on how you want to use the space. Covered porches provide shade, weather protection, and greater year-round comfort, while open patios create flexibility and maximize sunlight. During the planning process, we’ll help you evaluate how each option aligns with your property, lifestyle, and goals.
Can An Outdoor Living Space Be Used Year-Round?
Many outdoor living spaces can be enjoyed throughout much of the year when designed correctly. Features such as covered structures, fire features, heaters, fans, lighting, and outdoor kitchens help extend the usability of the space well beyond the warmer months and create a more comfortable experience throughout the seasons.
Why Choose A Design-Build Firm For An Outdoor Living Project?
Outdoor living projects often involve multiple disciplines including design, construction, electrical work, plumbing, structural considerations, and permitting. A design-build approach keeps everything under one roof, creating better communication, clearer accountability, and a more streamlined experience from initial planning through final construction.
How Do I Know If It's Time To Invest In Outdoor Living?
Many homeowners start considering an outdoor living project when they realize they’re not fully using their property. If the backyard feels disconnected from the home, lacks comfortable gathering areas, or simply doesn’t support the way you’d like to spend time outside, it may be the right time to explore what’s possible.
AREAS WE SERVE
Helping Triangle Homeowners SpendMore Time Outside
From Raleigh and Cary to Durham, Chapel Hill, and the surrounding Triangle communities, we help homeowners create outdoor living spaces that feel comfortable, inviting, and connected to the way they live. Whether it’s a covered porch, outdoor kitchen, gathering space, or complete backyard transformation, every project begins with understanding how the property can better support the moments that happen outside.
- Apex
- Braggtown
- Cary
- Chapel Hill
- Durham
- Fuquay-Varina
- Garner
- Hillsborough
- Holly Springs
- Pittsboro
- Raleigh
- South Durham
- Wake Forest
Start The Conversation
The Outdoor Space You've Been ImaginingStarts Right Here
Whether you’re looking to create a better place to entertain, relax with family, or spend more time outdoors throughout the year, the first step is understanding what’s possible. We’ll take the time to learn about your property, your goals, and how you’d like the space to feel before discussing solutions. Just a conversation focused on where you’d like to go from here.
Explore More Remodeling Services
Whole-HomeRemodeling
Attic & BasementRemodeling
Local Expertise
Creating Outdoor Spaces People Never Want To Leave
The best outdoor living spaces do more than improve a backyard. They change how people use their home. From Raleigh and Cary to Durham, Chapel Hill, and the surrounding Triangle communities, we help homeowners create places to gather, relax, entertain, and spend more time outdoors. Browse our local service area pages to learn more about outdoor living projects in your community.
From The Blog
Ideas For What's NextFrom Triangle Homeowners & Experts
Every outdoor living project starts somewhere. Sometimes it’s a covered porch you’ve been thinking about for years. Sometimes it’s a desire to spend more time outside with family and friends. Our latest articles provide inspiration, planning guidance, and practical insights to help homeowners throughout the Triangle make informed decisions about their outdoor living investment.
